Shen's head coach Tony Dzikas calls to players during game against Saratoga High at Shenendehowa Friday Dec. 9, 2011. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Shen's head coach Tony Dzikas calls to players during game against Saratoga High at Shenendehowa Friday Dec. 9, 2011. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Photo: John Carl D'Annibale

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Shen's Jackson Shea,left, goes to the basket during game against Saratoga High at Shenendehowa Friday Dec. 9, 2011. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Shen's Jackson Shea,left, goes to the basket during game against Saratoga High at Shenendehowa Friday Dec. 9, 2011. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

Photo: John Carl D'Annibale

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Shen's perfect man in middle

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CLIFTON PARK — The break Brandon Miller received from football to basketball lasted approximately 24 hours — one whole Sunday to heal up from 15 weeks filled with hitting and being hit.

Miller often finds himself in the thick of the action on the gridiron as the starting tight end and middle linebacker at Shenendehowa. The same holds true on the hardwood, as the 200-pound, 6-foot-2 senior patrols the paint for the Plainsmen.

Shenendehowa's basketball roster this season is devoid of a true center. What Miller provides coach Tony Dzikas and his teammates is toughness, intelligence, desire and a wide array of subtle offensive and defensive skills. "If he was three or four inches taller, colleges would be banging down my door to get him," Dzikas said. "He has a nice touch and Brandon Miller really knows how to play the game. He is extremely effective inside and knows how to get position."

"Brandon is crafty. He is not the most athletic guy jumping over people, but he gets the ball on rebounds and he's an excellent passer," Shenendehowa senior guard Jackson Shea said. "He also goes by a lot of people (off the dribble)."

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Miller, who was named Class AA Empire Division Football Player of the Year on Wednesday at Shaker, is quickly rounding into form on the basketball court. On Friday night, the lefty delivered 12 points, seven rebounds and two assists in a 65-46 Suburban Council victory over Saratoga.

"Football, you sprint and get a break. Basketball, it is a constant change of direction and change in speed," Miller said. "I haven't quite found my rhythm yet, but I'm getting closer."

Miller displayed an arsenal of drop-step and power moves to go along with the ability to dribble-drive past bigger defenders. The senior is also a deft passer.

"We definitely have to get him the ball. If we don't get him the ball inside, we're not going to win. He needs to get touches," Shea said. "We run a lot of two-man stuff. Even if he doesn't make a pass, we relocate and the defense has to react."

"I really have to step up — not only as an offensive player, but with my passing," Miller said. "If they double down on me, our shooters can spot up for 3s. If they single me, I'm going to attack and try getting their big guys fouls. It makes us lethal sometimes."

Miller's passing ability is going to be a crucial element for Shenendehowa. His ability to set up shooters such as Shea (19 points Friday), senior guard Ted McCarthy, senior guard Robert Hughes and junior guard Dylan Molloy on the perimeter makes the Plainsmen difficult to defend.

Shea and Miller helped ignite the Plainsmen (2-0, 2-0) on a back-breaking 12-3 surge late in the third quarter that ballooned Shen's lead over the Blue Streaks (1-3, 0-2) to 53-32 with 58 seconds remaining.

Miller plans to play football in college and has narrowed his choices down to Wagner, Merrimack and St. Anselm.

College visits, however, will wait as Miller's focus is now on helping Shenendehowa claim another Suburban Council North Division title and make a deeper run in the Class AA sectionals. The Plainsmen reached the semifinals at the Times Union Center in March, but were upset by Bishop Maginn.

"I love the guys on our team. I think we're a little underrated because people look at us and see we aren't very big this season," Miller said. "We're going to run them."